The graphical display manager must not be the default target on RHEL 8 unless approved.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-251718 | RHEL-08-040321 | SV-251718r1017371_rule | CCI-000366 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| Internet services that are not required for system or application processes must not be active to decrease the attack surface of the system. Graphical display managers have a long history of security vulnerabilities and must not be used, unless approved and documented. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-14 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-251718r1017371_chk)
Verify that the system is configured to boot to the command line:
$ systemctl get-default
multi-user.target
If the system default target is not set to "multi-user.target" and the Information System Security Officer (ISSO) lacks a documented requirement for a graphical user interface, this is a finding.
Fix Text (F-55109r809377_fix)
Document the requirement for a graphical user interface with the ISSO or reinstall the operating system without the graphical user interface. If reinstallation is not feasible, then continue with the following procedure:
Open an SSH session and enter the following commands:
$ sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target
A reboot is required for the changes to take effect.